Eleven studies evaluated the association between stimulation medication and alcohol abuse or dependence, with ORs ranging from 0.13 to 3.00 (Figure 1). Eight of these studies had 95% CIs that included 1. Two studies13,36 found that stimulant medication treatment reduced risk of alcohol abuse or dependence, whereas 1 study31 found that children treated with stimulant medication were significantly more likely to develop alcohol abuse or dependence. The random-effects regression estimated that children with or without medication treatment were largely comparable to alcohol abuse or dependence (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.46−1.38; P =.42), although significant variability was seen in effect sizes (Q = 33.87, P <.001). Follow-up moderator tests are described below.
